Stoffel Vandoorne dominates Riyadh tests

Reduced to a single 30′ session due to weather conditions and the presence of rain in Saudi Arabia, the free practice session for the first ePrix of the 2018-2019 season of the Formula E saw the rookie Stoffel Vandoorne (HWA Racelab) show the most verve.

The old pilot McLaren en F1 achieved his best lap on a still wet track in 1'18″868, 177 thousandths ahead of Sam Bird (Envision Virgin Racing). Followed by the two Nissan e.dams Sébastien Buemi and Oliver Rowland, clocked at 182 and 216 thousandths. The top 5 is completed by Mitch Evans (Panasonic Jaguar Racing).

Outgoing champion of the category, Jean-Eric Vergne, who extended his contract with DS Techeetah yesterday, finished in 6th place more than half a second away and ahead of the two BMW i Andrettis of Alexander Sims and Antonio Fellix da Costa.

Maximilian Günther (Dragon Racing) and Daniel Abt (Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler) entered the top 10, but more than a second behind Vandoorne's benchmark. Tom Dillmann (NIO) finished 18th just ahead of Felipe Massa (Venturi).

Less success for Edoardo Mortara, Massa's teammate at Venturi, the pilot Mercedes-AMG making a mistake and hitting the protective barriers after less than five minutes of driving.

We finally get out on track…and it's gone! @edomortara brings out the red flag after contact with the barrier, but he's fine. #AdDiriyahEPrice pic.twitter.com/G54AkjQBIm

- ABB Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) December 15, 2018

Qualifying will begin at 9:25 p.m. French time.